From our perspective, we require a location that provides us with abundant sunlight to fuel our prolific flowering. We thrive best with a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily. While we can tolerate partial shade, it will result in fewer blossoms. Our roots demand well-draining soil; we absolutely despise having our roots sit in waterlogged earth, as this will lead to fatal root rot. We are remarkably adaptable to soil pH, growing equally well in slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline conditions. We are also tolerant of poor, sandy, and rocky soils, as well as coastal salt spray, making us a versatile choice for many challenging garden spots.
To give us the best start, the planting hole should be dug two to three times wider than our root ball, but no deeper. Planting us too deeply puts stress on our root system and can invite disease. Gently tease out any circling roots to encourage them to grow outward into the native soil. Place us in the hole so that the top of our root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade. Backfill the hole with the original soil, gently firming it to eliminate large air pockets. After planting, create a shallow basin around the base and water us deeply and thoroughly to settle the soil around our roots.
Our watering needs change as we establish ourselves. Immediately after planting, we require consistent moisture to help our roots expand into the new environment. Water us deeply 2-3 times per week for the first growing season. Once we are established, we become exceptionally drought-tolerant and will only need supplemental watering during prolonged periods of extreme heat and drought. Overwatering is a far greater threat to our health than underwatering. Regarding food, we are not heavy feeders. A single application of a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring is sufficient to support a full season of vigorous growth and prolific blooming.
Pruning is best performed in late winter or early spring before our major growth flush begins. This practice helps us maintain a desired shape and encourages a denser, more floriferous habit. You can remove up to one-third of our growth. Always cut us back to a leaf node or a main branch. Wear gloves and avoid contact with our sap, as all parts of our being are highly toxic if ingested and our sap can cause skin irritation. Regularly deadheading spent flower clusters will encourage us to produce more blooms throughout the season rather than diverting energy into seed production.
It is crucial to understand that every part of our plant—leaves, stems, flowers, roots, and sap—contains potent cardiac glycosides. We are highly toxic to humans, dogs, cats, horses, and other animals if ingested. This is our natural defense mechanism against herbivores. Therefore, we should not be planted in areas accessible to curious children or grazing pets. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling us, especially during pruning. Despite this toxicity, we are safe to grow as long as everyone is aware and respects our defensive nature.
